Frogfoot Network, a licensed open-access infrastructure provider, has acquired the fibre assets of ATC (American Tower Africa), a South African provider of wireless and fibre infrastructure solutions and its long-term partner since 2017.
According to Shane Chorley, CEO of Frogfoot Networks, this acquisition is not only a natural extension of their collaboration, but the integration of ATC’s assets into its fibre network will allow them to continue providing a high-quality and dependable service to their clients.
“Our partnership has been built on mutual trust and shared goals and the acquisition aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy of strengthening and expanding Frogfoot’s network capabilities,” says Chorley.
The acquisition of ATC’s fibre network assets, according to the company, underscores its commitment to sustainable growth and investment in high-quality network infrastructure.
It went on to say this acquisition reinforces Frogfoot’s success in the market while ensuring continuity for customers, with no changes to their current services.
“As we take this next step, we remain dedicated to providing seamless connectivity and superior service to businesses and homes across the regions we serve,” says Chorley
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) under the supervision from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance on Thursday 6th February 2025, donated tablets under Universal Service Access Fund (USAF)to the residents of Akuli B village in Apac Sub-county.
The tablets distributed were the Government’s pilot project aimed at bridging the connectivity and access to information gap in underserved communities. The preloaded data tablets were given together with solar panels to facilitate charging.
Sax Agaba, the Information Technology Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the tablets are part of government’s initiative to empower households in the digital era by 2024 starting with this pilot project to distribute mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices to selected communities across the country most especially to the low-income areas.
Sax added that the main goal of giving these digital tools is to enhance connectivity and improve access to information, thereby addressing the digital divide between rural and urban communities.
He said this tablets can be used in a number of programmes like Agriculture, education, Parish Development Model, among other programmes.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Muboki Paul, informed the locals that they must appreciate being chosen among the 290 villages/celss the District have to implement this project. The selection was not base on politics but pilot bring this Community to the lime light, strategic location and its eligibility according to the project’s guidelines. The village’s proximity to the Apac Municipal border made it a key area for this initiative.
Muboki escalate the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and UCC for the initiative, highlighting that the tablets would be of great help to the well-being of the beneficiaries and enhance service delivery. He noted that many government programmes are now implemented digitally, citing the example of the Parish Development Model, where beneficiaries receive funds through a digital platform.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the tablets as intended and to serve as role models for the rest of the District. He also cautioned them against losing or selling these devices since Government has injected a lot of money to acquire them.
Emmanuel Matsiko, the team leader UCC delegates from Gulu Regional Office, noted that the tablets are brought to change lives of the people of Akuli B. The devices has got a lot of functions which if it’s put into good use, will bring wealth and development to the area.
The Deputy RDC, Joan Apio urged community to guard the devices very well and advised them to report to the authorities in case of any lose. The devises were brought for the members who registered and this is a sign that you should involve yourself in all Government programmes.
Benin recorded a significant increase in mobile Internet coverage between 2020 and 2024, according to the Global Mobile Operators Association (GSMA). Mobile broadband (3G and 4G) covers nearly 90% of the territory, compared to an average of 77% in West Africa. 4G coverage in particular increased from 62% to 88% in three years, reaching almost 100% in urban areas and 96% in peri-urban areas. In rural areas, 63% of the population now lives in areas covered by 4G.
Mobile coverage improving, but significant usage deficit
Despite this expansion of mobile Internet coverage, usage of this service remains below expectations according to the GSMA. The association observes a growing gap between the population covered and those who actually use mobile Internet, a phenomenon it calls the “usage gap”. It is calculated by comparing the number of unique users of mobile broadband to the number of inhabitants covered by mobile broadband networks. On this basis, the GSMA estimates that in 2023, 39 to 66% of the inhabitants of Benin lived within range of a mobile broadband network without being connected to it.
Data from Benin’s Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) indicate, however, that as of September 30, 2024, out of 18.2 million registered mobile subscribers, 11.7 million were Internet subscribers, representing an adoption rate of 64.25%. For mobile broadband, which includes 6.8 million 3G subscribers and 4.4 million 4G subscribers, the usage rate is 61.75%. However, these figures do not provide information on unique mobile Internet subscribers.
Adjusting for multi-SIM cases, the GSMA estimates that the actual number of unique mobile Internet users in Benin was 7 million at the end of 2023, or 55.4% of the total population. But ” the number of Beninese who regularly accessed the Internet on their mobile phone in 2023 was approximately 3.8 million, which corresponds to 28% of the total population or 48% of the adult population, ” the Association specifies.
What are the obstacles to Internet adoption?
One of the main challenges in this area remains financial accessibility. The cost of Internet packages and smartphones continues to limit adoption, particularly in rural areas where access to electricity remains a major problem. The lack of content adapted to local needs and the still insufficient awareness of the benefits of the Internet are also major obstacles mentioned.
This usage deficit constitutes a major challenge for the digital inclusion ambitions carried by the Beninese State for about fifteen years. Wider access to the Internet remains an essential lever to strengthen the effectiveness of the public services digitalization project and support the development of the digital economy.
To achieve this, actions are needed, particularly in terms of reducing the cost of the Internet, improving access to digital equipment, developing useful content and extending electrification to underserved areas.
Ghana’s telecom giant, MTN Ghana, through its charity arm, MTN Foundation, on February 14, 2025, organized its annual ‘Save a Life’ Blood Donation exercise at its headquarters in Accra.
Similar exercises were held across all 16 regions, with the goal of mobilizing 6,110 units of blood to replenish the national blood bank for use by state health facilities.
In Accra, the exercise was conducted in partnership with the 37 Military Hospital, where military doctors supervised the donation process.
The annual event, dubbed the “Save A Life” Blood Donation Campaign, saw many MTN staff, subscribers, and business partners participating in the program.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Nana Kofi Asare, emphasized the importance of voluntary blood donation.
“As we mark Valentine’s Day, we at MTN Ghana Foundation believe that the gift of life is the greatest act of love. Blood donation plays a vital role in healthcare, ensuring that patients in need receive timely transfusions.
“This initiative has been a game-changer, and we remain committed to its growth,” he stated.
He further encouraged Ghanaians to embrace blood donation as a civic duty and a symbol of compassion.
“Every pint of blood donated has the potential to save multiple lives. Let’s make this a habit, not just an annual event,” he urged.
MTN Ghana extended its deepest gratitude to the volunteers, healthcare professionals, and donors who contributed to the 2025 blood drive.
The CEO of the National Blood Service, Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, congratulated MTN Ghana on the successful organization of the 2025 edition of the Save A Life blood donation campaign.
She noted that since the inception of the MTN Save A Life blood donation campaign in 2011, the initiative has contributed 29,000 units of blood.
She further highlighted that the collection of 5,901 units of blood from last year’s exercise confirms the significant impact of the collaboration between the MTN Foundation and the National Blood Service.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, has inaugurated a 23-member Inter-Agency Data Pricing Committee in Accra.
The committee members were drawn from stakeholders in the digital spaces to develop a roadmap that would lead to a reduction in the cost of data The Committee is expected to finalise the roadmap report and submit it to the Minister on March 6, 2025.
The initiative aims to assess prevailing pricing models and propose recommendations for competitive and affordable data services that drive digital inclusion, economic growth, and national development.
The Minister said the establishment of the Committee underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in data pricing mechanisms and bridging the digital divide.
“The players in the industry are not Chancellors and are businessmen, but like I have always said, my fidelity is first and foremost to the Ghanaian people before any other consideration. “On the basis of that, we are going to put up this technical committee to have a conversation around the pricing of data.
The focus of the committee is not for you to tell the ministry why data is priced at its current price point,” he said.
He said he was aware that in January 2024, one of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) wrote to the National Communication Authority proposing a 10 per cent drop.
“The ministry at the time declined a response to the regulator, and so literally for one year, that offer of a 10 per cent reduction from that MNO and a corresponding 11 per cent increase in value offerings has been pending,” he said.
Mr George said the government was committed to ensuring value for money, adding that “the best value and offering for the Ghanaian people is our primary goal.”
He said, “Instead of us having one proposal from one MNO on one bundle offering, I want a holistic review of all the bundle offerings across all the networks.”
Mr George said there were many young Ghanaians today who, if given cheaper, affordable data, would help them work and take gig jobs outside the shores of the country, depending on data. “This is a call to national service, a call to national duty, both for the Committee members and as players in the industry,” he said.
Mr Ken Ashigbey, the Chef Executive, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, welcomed the initiative and indicated that it was the best way to ensure value for money.
He called for a concerted effort to address the issue of data pricing, stressing the things associated with data cost were multifaceted.
Mr Ashigbey pledged to work towards meeting the terms of reference for the committee, especially the deadline. Mr Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh President, National Union of Ghana Students, commended the Minister for bringing the student Union into the committee.
He said most students complained about the cost of data, especially during their online sessions, research, and other things, and he was confident of ensuring fair data pricing for all.
Source: Ghana News Agency (GNA)
AI-driven 6G networks: The future of telecommunications
AI-native 6G networks will redefine connectivity, integrating AI for seamless optimization, security, and efficiency in mobile communications
Telecommunications is undergoing a major transformation with AI-native 6G networks.
AI is transforming industries, and telecommunications is no exception. With the rise of artificial intelligence, a new concept is emerging—AI-native telecommunications networks. These networks integrate AI from the ground up, shaping the design, deployment, and operation of mobile communication systems.
As researchers push the boundaries of what’s possible, the next generation of wireless technology—6G—will depend heavily on AI to drive efficiency, security, and performance.
The Shift Toward AI-Native Telecom Networks
Mobile networks have evolved significantly over the past few decades. Early generations focused on increasing data speeds, but 5G introduced a shift toward integrating cloud services and edge computing into telecommunications infrastructure. While this brought new efficiencies, the leap from 5G to 6G is expected to be even more transformative.
AI-native networks move away from static, rule-based models and embrace adaptive, learning-driven approaches. These systems use large-scale AI models, including Generalized Pretrained Transformers (GPT) and other machine-learning algorithms, to manage network operations intelligently.
Unlike traditional telecommunications infrastructure, which relies on pre-defined rules, AI-native networks continuously optimize themselves based on real-time data.
Lauri Lovén, Director of the Future Computing Group at the University of Oulu Finland, who coordinates the Distributed AI research line in the national 6G Flagship research programme. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)
A crucial component of this vision is the AI Interconnect, a system that enables AI-driven decision-making within the network. This advancement enhances network performance in key areas, such as radio signal optimization, resource allocation, and security management. The ability to dynamically select, provision, update, and create AI models within the network will lead to smarter, more efficient communications systems.
The Role of Large Language Models in 6G
Large language models (LLMs) are at the core of this transformation. These AI-driven models process vast amounts of data, interpret human and machine-generated input, and execute complex operations with minimal human intervention. In the context of 6G, LLMs will serve multiple roles.
First, AI will be a tool for managing network operations, commonly referred to as “AI for RAN” (Radio Access Network). This approach enhances network efficiency by using machine learning to optimize signal transmission and traffic management.
Second, AI-based applications will leverage 6G connectivity to enable new services, an approach known as “AI with RAN.” From IoT devices to autonomous vehicles, these applications will rely on fast, intelligent networks to process and transmit data in real time.
Finally, AI will become an integral part of the network itself, referred to as “AI on RAN.” In this scenario, the network adapts AI capabilities dynamically, ensuring seamless integration between computing and communication functions.
According to Lauri Lovén, Director of the Future Computing Group at the University of Oulu and coordinator of the Distributed AI research line in Finland’s 6G Flagship research program, “During the first four generations of wireless, we got used to seeing data rates skyrocket to new heights at each turn, transforming the way people use the network. With 5G, the improvement didn’t feel quite as radical, even though it was taking place.
The focus of network development had shifted beyond improving the user experience, introducing various machine-to-machine communication scenarios and implementing network services using modern software development methods, making them easier and better to manage in many ways. Put simply, 5G integrated cloud services and edge computing into mobile networks. With 6G, wireless networks will be combined with artificial intelligence.”
This evolution sets the stage for a future where AI is not just a supplementary tool but a fundamental part of telecommunications infrastructure.
AI Interconnect’s cross-layer design across control, user, and application planes. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)
Research and Development in AI-Driven 6G Networks
The foundation for 6G is being laid today. The University of Oulu was the first in the world to publish a comprehensive 6G white paper in 2019, outlining key research directions. Since then, over a dozen scientific papers have expanded on various aspects of 6G, with a recent focus on AI integration.
The latest publication, Large Language Models in the 6G-Enabled Computing Continuum: A White Paper, presents a collaborative effort involving 46 researchers. Edited by Lovén and a team of international experts, the paper explores how AI and 6G will converge to create new communication paradigms.
“Our focus is on the technical aspects, but we also briefly discuss regulatory and application dimensions, as well as security and resilience,” Lovén explains.
“Research on AI methods and ethical concerns is excluded from this publication. The writing process was demanding, but we are pleased with the final result. During the writing, there were differences of opinion. A small group of authors decided to withdraw their contributions altogether because they felt the changes we proposed were too extensive.
No conflicts occurred, however. The rules of the game were clear from the start: the editors have the final say on content.”
By addressing both technical challenges and broader implications, researchers are helping shape policies and innovations that will define the future of telecommunications.
Taxonomy of LLMs for 6G, mapping the potential applications of LLMs to both 6G use cases and underlying network architecture enablers. The LLM controller serves as a hub, suggesting the cooperative and management roles LLMs can play in a 6G ecosystem. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)
The Future of AI-Driven Telecommunications
6G networks will introduce a new level of automation and intelligence. The integration of AI will not only improve network efficiency but also revolutionize the way data is transmitted, stored, and processed.
The implications extend beyond telecommunications. AI-driven networks will play a critical role in industries such as smart cities, autonomous transportation, and robotics.
The ability to process data at ultra-fast speeds with minimal latency will enable applications that were previously impossible.
“Of course, the technologies for different AI models are developing at a dizzying pace, and so are the applications. On the tele-networking and computing continuum, from local devices to cloud computing centers, these may change not only the content of data transmitted and processed but also the methods of managing the network and its computing capacity.
Meanwhile, we may soon have personal AI helpers, or even a whole army of them, and we can already see the enormous computing and data transmission requirements that will come with them,” Lovén says.
Ecosystems will harness the capabilities of 6G, targeting goals like smart cities, gender equality, and climate change mitigation. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)
Despite rapid advancements, some challenges remain. AI development moves at an unprecedented speed, while telecommunications standards follow slower cycles.
A new generation of mobile networks typically takes a decade to reach widespread adoption. Given this timeline, researchers are already preparing for the expected launch of 6G in the early 2030s.
“This was necessary and worthwhile to get published. In AI research, five years is a very long time.
A lot can happen in a year! But data network cycles are slower. And standardization takes a long time. One G takes about ten years. 6G is expected to hit the consumer market sometime in the early 2030s. That’s why we’ve already been researching it for years,” Lovén explains.
From early human-to-human communication to AI-driven interactions, the evolution of wireless networks has been remarkable. The next step will see AI playing a central role in facilitating human-to-machine and even machine-to-machine communication.
As researchers push the limits of AI and telecommunications, the future of connectivity will be shaped by networks that learn, adapt, and evolve in real time. The AI-native telecom revolution is just beginning.
Ericsson outlined plans to open its previously invite-only stand at MWC Barcelona to wider audiences including enterprise customers and developers this year, with an open area set to showcase its network capabilities.
Speaking to Mobile World Live as part of our MWC25 Preview Week, Cecilia Atterwall, head of marketing at Ericsson, revealed the vendor’s usual exhibit in Hall 2 will include a new open area where visitors can expect demonstrations of emerging technologies including augmented reality experiences, while it will also promote 5G enterprise applications.
The stand will also highlight the role of cellular connectivity, fixed wireless access and network APIs in driving business innovation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. With nearly 100 cases from a set of 100 different partners, 20 per cent of Ericsson’s demo team will come from external companies.
In line with its push for industry collaboration, the company will showcase its work with major industry players, including Salesforce, BT, KDDI, Toyota, and Nvidia Omniverse.
Atterwall stated enhanced capabilities at the pavilion, which spans 6,000 square metres, is driven by a belief that the telecoms industry now requires “a shift in our industry and in how we collaborate and work together so no one can make it on their own”.
She further pointed to Ericsson’s latest partnership with multiple operators to establish Aduna, a venture focused on expanding access to network APIs, as an example underscoring the vendor’s efforts towards establishing an interconnected ecosystem.
Atterwall continued: “We’re trying to work from the perspective of the users, both enterprise customers and consumers, what are the key value points of differentiated connectivity?”
Taiwan-based chipmaker GlobalWafers revealed its funding under the US Chips and Science Act is being reviewed by the new administration but highlighted it has not yet been notified of any changes, Reuters reported.
Certain conditions in the act aren’t aligned with President Donald Trump’s policies and are under review, the Chips Act programme officer told a GlobalWafers representative, the news agency wrote.
Under the contract approved by former US President Joe Biden, the company is set to receive $406 million in government funding for projects in Texas and Missouri. The funds will only be awarded to the company after it meets specific milestones this year.
The Trump administration reportedly raised flags about conditions requiring companies receiving government funds to use unionised labour for construction and provide childcare for workers, Reuters stated.
Other global chipmakers including Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Samsung and SK Hynix did not comment on the report, according to the The Korea Herald.
The newspaper noted any modifications in the funding stipulated in contracts for South Korea’s chipmakers would “deal a heavy blow to their advanced semiconductor production facilities currently under construction in the US”.
Samsung plans to invest more than $40 billion to expand its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in the state of Texas, with government support of $4.6 billion, while SK Hynix scored $950 million in subsidies and loans for an AI chip facility. That add to its planned investment of $3.8 billion in Indiana.
Rakuten Mobile achieved profitability in the final month of 2024 five years after launch, with chair Mickey Mikitani targeting full-year EBITDA to turn positive in 2025, driven by subscriber and ARPU gains.
The operator’s EBITDA in December hit JPY2.3 billion ($15.1 million). The figure for the full-year dropped by JPY98.7 billion from a year ago to a loss of JPY53.8 billion.
Mikitani attributed the move to profit to strong subscriber acquisition and increased ARPU due to improved network quality, as well as ongoing cost control and rising ad revenue.
He added Rakuten Mobile will be “a driving force” for the group’s future growth, accounting for 34.4 per cent of consolidated revenue growth in 2024.
Mikitani noted it covered annual capital needs without relying on new debt for the group. Capex fell from JPY169 billion in 2023 to JPY81 billion last year. The company noted some investments were postponed to 2025, with the outlay forecast to climb to JPY150 billion.
Service revenue in Q4 grew 40.3 per cent to JPY46.6 billion, with its operating loss declining to JPY46 billion from JPY62 billion a year earlier.
The operator added 1.6 million subscriber to take its total to 8.3 million at end-2024. Core ARPU increased 2.6 per cent to JPY1,770.
The company outlined its three-pronged approach to executing on its AI ambition, with 2025 to be the year of scaling after launching Rakuten AI for Business last month and its consumer AI offering in October 2024.
Chief AI and data officer Ting Chi noted the company plans to scale its AI foundation by adding useful deep learning applications across the Rakuten ecosystem.
Elon Musk (pictured) would withdraw a $97.4 billion offer to buy OpenAI if the ChatGPT maker agrees to stop its conversion into a for-profit entity, a court filing showed.
The tech billionaire called for action in a filing to a US district court on 12 February.
“If OpenAI, Inc.’s Board is prepared to preserve the charity’s mission and stipulate to take the for sale sign off its assets by halting its conversion, Musk will withdraw the bid,” the court documents revealed.
“Otherwise, the charity must be compensated by what an arms-length buyer will pay for its assets.”
Musk, his AI company xAI and investment companies Baron Capital Group and Emmanuel Capital, launched a bid to buy OpenAI’s non-profit division on 10 February.
The consortium accused OpenAI CEO Sam Altman of abandoning the company’s original mission of developing AI for good in favour of profit.
Altman rejected the offer and stated on Musk-owned X “we will buy Twitter for $9.7 billion if you want”.
The OpenAI CEO told CNBC Musk’s offer is a ploy to “slow down a competitor”.
OpenAI was founded as a non-profit in 2015 and then moved to a “capped profit” model in 20219, CNBC wrote.
In September 2024, OpenAI initiated a restructure, making its for-profit unit independent from its non-profit parent to boost its ability to raise funds.
Musk is a co-founder of OpenAI, but left the organisation in 2018 following clashes with Altman and since criticised the company’s revised business model.
CNBC reported the Tesla and SpaceX founder yesterday (13 February) repeated his concern over the change in OpenAI’s business model during a video address to an audience at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Musk reportedly said he provided $50 million to OpenAI with the understanding it was meant to be open source and a non-profit entity.
The news site reported he told the audience OpenAI should change its name to “maximum profit AI”.
